Review by Ronny

Welcome to Pennycress Inn is a heartfelt small-town romance that was so enjoyable to read.

Favourite Quote:

Without saying a word, Jackson stepped towards her, drawing her into one of his bear hugs, the ones in which the world melted away.

Book Synopsis:

Laura wants to shake things up. She’s thirty-eight, and has been living in her parents’ house since her divorce last year. Her siblings seem to have got their lives together: successful careers, happy marriages, beautiful children.
Laura’s determined to prove herself. And buying the beautiful Pennycress Inn in the idyllic Cotswolds village of Meadowfield could be just the way to do it.
But getting the inn ready for its first guests proves easier said than done! With crumbling walls, dangerous woodwork and loose roof tiles, not to mention unfriendly locals and even errant sheep, Laura soon fears she’s made the wrong choice.
Luckily a friendly face is on hand in the form of gorgeous chef, Jackson. But is he too good to be true? And just why are the villagers so against her?
Can Laura turn her life around and get the fresh start she longs for at Pennycress Inn?

Review:

Y’all know I love a cozy English small-town romance. There is just something about them that makes me feel like I am being wrapped in a cozy blanket. I am new to Sarah’s books, which is great because I adored this book, and now I have her entire backlist to read and enjoy. This story is perfect for those bookworms who love Jill Steeples, Sarah Bennett, and Maxine Morrey’s books. This is a heartwarming and charming romance that is so easy to sink into. I love a good renovation story because I know the renovation is going to be a source of chaos and a reason for the two MCs to spend more time together. Poor Laura dreams of starting over after her divorce and cannot wait to open up the cozy Inn she bought. The problem is that the Inn is a little more run-down than she realizes, and for some reason, the townspeople seem to be hell-bent on running her out of town. Laura is determined to make it on her own and doesn’t want any help from her family (who think she made a huge mistake and will fail) or her gorgeous neighbour Jackson, who is also her brother’s best friend. The renovation parts of this book added that extra entertainment element to the story. It was great watching Laura learn that she is capable of succeeding in this new venture and that it’s okay to ask for help when she needs it. The small-town parts of this book were a bit different from other romances I have read. Normally, the townspeople are incredibly welcoming and quirky, and I love watching the heroine interact and create bonds with the people in town. That wasn’t the case in this story. We don’t really get to connect with the townspeople until the latter half of the book. In the first bit of this book, we see a group of people who are determined to make Laura’s life hell, and she doesn’t understand why. I’m not going to give away any spoilers, so you will have to read this book to find out what all the drama is about and how it all gets sorted out. 

Laura was a great character, and I enjoyed spending time with her. Her excitement and passion for opening up the Inn are contagious, and you cannot help but want her to succeed. Laura’s journey is one that is filled with highs and lows. We see her when she feels like she cannot go on and wants to give up, but Jackson is there to help her push through those tough times. Those low moments showed Laura that she doesn’t have to do this on her own and that being too independent is not a good thing. 

The romance in this book is sweet, and my heart fluttering at times. You will love the blooming romance between Laura and Jackson if you like a good brother’s best friend trope. As we watch Laura and Jackson navigate through these new feelings, they are aware that Laura’s brother may not approve of their relationship, which becomes a hurdle they have to overcome as the story progresses. I liked these two together. They have been friends of sorts since they were kids, so they already have this connection with each other. I like the chemistry between them. It felt real and believable. 

Welcome to Pennycress Inn is a charming romance with a lot of heart.

Thank you, Boldwood Books and Rachel Random Resources, for the ARC in exchange for an honest review.